A deadly attack in Lebanon, involving remotely detonated pagers, has left at least nine dead and nearly 3,000 wounded. Despite initial reports linking the pagers to Taiwanese company Gold Apollo, the company’s founder revealed they were actually manufactured by a European company. The militant group Hezbollah, which was targeted in the attack, blamed Israel for the explosions and vowed revenge. Lebanon’s health minister confirmed the casualties and critical injuries, including a young girl among the deceased.
The blasts exploited low-tech pagers used by Hezbollah to prevent tracking of its members. The attack appears to be a retaliatory measure for an alleged assassination attempt by Hezbollah on a former Israeli defense official. Hospitals in Lebanon were overwhelmed with patients, and a field hospital was set up to accommodate the wounded. US officials are working to de-escalate tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, fearing a potential ground invasion by Israel.
The attack has heightened tensions between the two sides and threatens to derail efforts to prevent further conflict in the region. The US has not confirmed any involvement in the attack, while Hamas sees it as an escalation that will lead to Israel’s defeat. The incident marks a significant security breach for Hezbollah and could impact ongoing Gaza ceasefire talks. The source of the attack remains unknown, and the situation continues to evolve as both sides prepare for potential retaliation.
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